Even with the chances he did get in the 2nd half, he was pretty ineffective. Most weeks, a performance like this loses the game. Fortunately, for him and the Bills, Chicago has an atrocious defense.

This game reminded me of J.P. Losman's performance at Houston in 2005, and Trent Edwards in Washington in 2007. They both hung around until late in the game and made a couple plays uncharacteristic of the rest of their careers. At the end of the day, they left a lot more questions than answers, but allowed us to feel good for a week.

Oh yeah, and this:


- buffalofan19

Most weeks a preformance like this loses ? What are you talking about? He was over 75% completion percentage and we ran the ball well.

He also made plays on 3rd down which he struggled with last year.

People also forget that before Manuel's throw to Woods which "almost took his head off" he had a first down completion to Watkins called back.


Jesus, he won on the road against a good team. Give him credit

Most weeks a preformance like this loses ? What are you talking about? He was over 75% completion percentage and we ran the ball well.

He also made plays on 3rd down which he struggled with last year.
- sbroads24

The same argument was made for Trent Edwards back in the day. The problem is when your YPA is so low (remember "Captain Checkdown"?), those numbers are sheltered. Most of Manuel's completions were dumpoffs, and he only threw the ball 22 times. If he threw it at least 30, I'd be more willing to concede that.

Look, I really didn't intend to bag on EJ Manuel. I said he played okay, and they won today. But to say that any questions about his shortcomings are answered with this game, is just plain inaccurate.

The same argument was made for Trent Edwards back in the day. The problem is when your YPA is so low (remember "Captain Checkdown"?), those numbers are sheltered. Most of Manuel's completions were dumpoffs, and he only threw the ball 22 times. If he threw it at least 30, I'd be more willing to concede that.

Look, I really didn't intend to bag on EJ Manuel. I said he played okay, and they won today. But to say that any questions about his shortcomings are answered with this game, is just plain inaccurate.
- buffalofan19

Actually you are dead wrong, his YPA was 7.86

Drew Brees lost with 333 passing yards and a YPA of 7.92

It's not his fault he only had to throw it 22 times

Oh and over 25% of his completions were over 20 yards

Opinions vary do you know what that means? they have there opinion and I have mine. I never said they were right or wrong, read more before you run your mouth.
- SABRES 89

You sure have a funny way of sharing an opinion. Anytime someone says anything about him they you are with youre "opinion" making sure they know he sucks. We get it you dont like him. Try adding something intellectual to your "opinion". Maybe then youll have a better way to deliver your negative "opinion".

The same argument was made for Trent Edwards back in the day. The problem is when your YPA is so low (remember "Captain Checkdown"?), those numbers are sheltered. Most of Manuel's completions were dumpoffs, and he only threw the ball 22 times. If he threw it at least 30, I'd be more willing to concede that.

Look, I really didn't intend to bag on EJ Manuel. I said he played okay, and they won today. But to say that any questions about his shortcomings are answered with this game, is just plain inaccurate.
- buffalofan19

I agree with a lot of what we talk about here, but sometimes you gotta take a step back and realize that the short comings you are talking about are being fabricated by yourself

Actually you are dead wrong, his YPA was 7.86

Drew Brees lost with 333 passing yards and a YPA of 7.92

It's not his fault he only had to throw it 22 times

Oh and over 25% of his completions were over 20 yards
- sbroads24

He only threw 22 times because his coaches don't trust him, which isn't anywhere near unwarranted assessment by any means. Look, he won today, and that's good for him.

Nothing he did today convinces me that this team ever wins a championship with him under center, even under the so-called "Baltimore Ravens mold", which is what I ultimately want to see.

He only threw 22 times because his coaches don't trust him, which isn't anywhere near unwarranted assessment by any means. Look, he won today, and that's good for him.

Nothing he did today convinces me that this team ever wins a championship with him under center, even under the so-called "Baltimore Ravens mold", which is what I ultimately want to see.
- buffalofan19

I think russel wilson only averages bout 22 attempts per game as well.

Edit: i stand corrected. Hes avergaed 25 attempts a game.

The same argument was made for Trent Edwards back in the day. The problem is when your YPA is so low (remember "Captain Checkdown"?), those numbers are sheltered. Most of Manuel's completions were dumpoffs, and he only threw the ball 22 times. If he threw it at least 30, I'd be more willing to concede that.

Look, I really didn't intend to bag on EJ Manuel. I said he played okay, and they won today. But to say that any questions about his shortcomings are answered with this game, is just plain inaccurate.
- buffalofan19

And as far as dump offs are concerned, you should check and see who led the Bears in receiving today

I think russel wilson only averages bout 22 attempts per game as well.
- zdp1189

I'm not convinced Russel Wilson wins here either.

This team needs an elite quarterback to mask a lot of its shortcomings. It's simply how it's built. The Bills don't have the type of team or the coaching around it for a Russel Wilson type to succeed at an elite level here.

Only fan base in the NFL that can whine about winning a road game . They were supposed to lose.

He only threw 22 times because his coaches don't trust him, which isn't anywhere near unwarranted assessment by any means. Look, he won today, and that's good for him.

Nothing he did today convinces me that this team ever wins a championship with him under center, even under the so-called "Baltimore Ravens mold", which is what I ultimately want to see.
- buffalofan19

Really? That's what you took out of this game? I thought (like you claim) the Bears run defense was atrocious and that's why we run. So why would they have Manuel throw more?

And as far as dump offs are concerned, you should check and see who led the Bears in receiving today
- sbroads24

I never said Jay Cutler was great, or that I want him as my starting quarterback either if that's what you're implying.

Only fan base in the NFL that can whine about winning a road game . They were supposed to lose.


- Maximum Signal

Nobody's complaining about winning a road game, just the "see I told you so" that really isn't warranted.

I'm not convinced Russel Wilson wins here either.

This team needs an elite quarterback to mask a lot of its shortcomings. It's simply how it's built. The Bills don't have the type of team or the coaching around it for a Russel Wilson type to succeed at an elite level here.
- buffalofan19

Yeah, agreed. Whether people like it or not we probably have this year and next year (since we dont have a first next year) to see if ej can make anything of himself.

I never said Jay Cutler was great, or that I want him as my starting quarterback either if that's what you're implying.
- buffalofan19

Id take Cutler. It's not easy to get a Manning, Brees, Brady or Rodgers

Id take Cutler. It's not easy to get a Manning, Brees, Brady or Rodgers
- sbroads24

Agreed, which is why I'd rather see them draft quarterbacks every year until they land one.

Nobody's complaining about winning a road game, just the "see I told you so" that really isn't warranted.
- buffalofan19

Well, the only "I told you so" that is warranted is the fact that preseason means nothing still

Well, the only "I told you so" that is warranted is the fact that preseason means nothing still
- sbroads24

My assessment of Manuel wasn't based on this preseason. It was his play last year, and his play in college.

Agreed, which is why I'd rather see them draft quarterbacks every year until they land one.
- buffalofan19

I would agree with that as well. However you don't need them to win, our defense is pretty damn good. The offense we faced today averaged 9 more points last year then we let up

My assessment of Manuel wasn't based on this preseason. It was his play last year, and his play in college.
- buffalofan19

Wasn't referring to Manuel. Just in general

I would agree with that as well. However you don't need them to win, our defense is pretty damn good. The offense we faced today averaged 9 more points last year then we let up
- sbroads24

I questioned the secondary through training camp, and I still question it after today.

As as Stripes said earlier, if they try this bend but don't break scheme all year, they're going to be in trouble.

Okay, now I'm full on in the mode that I didn't want to be in after the game.

With this team, I decided I'm going to take this approach: "Okay they won. Now do it again...multiple times".

Changing the subject: my "pick the favorites" strategy is off to a horrendous start. My only hope is that the first week or two is always a crapshoot because nobody really knows how good or bad each team really is.

I questioned the secondary through training camp, and I still question it after today.

As as Stripes said earlier, if they try this bend but don't break scheme all year, they're going to be in trouble.

Okay, now I'm full on in the mode that I didn't want to be in after the game.

With this team, I decided I'm going to take this approach: "Okay they won. Now do it again...multiple times".

Changing the subject: my "pick the favorites" strategy is off to a horrendous start. My only hope is that the first week or two is always a crapshoot because nobody really knows how good or bad each team really is.
- buffalofan19

I thought our secondary was the strongest part of our defense.

No Gilmore and they held maybe the best WR duo to a very pedestrian game. Our LB, especially In coverage was incredibly weak

I thought our secondary was the strongest part of our defense.

No Gilmore and they held maybe the best WR duo to a very pedestrian game. Our LB, especially In coverage was incredibly weak
- sbroads24

That was to be expected. When they signed Brandon Spikes, just about every scouting report basically said: "the guy dominates against the run, but make no mistake, he sucks against the pass". That seems like something they were simply willing to live with in order to get better against the run.

Nobody's complaining about winning a road game, just the "see I told you so" that really isn't warranted.
- buffalofan19

I did not see any I told you so's just lots of folks saying he is not as bad as you believe . He did not lose the game for us . The play calling in the second half may have been too conservative.